The criteria used to make the selection involve maximizing the use of existing company infrastructure (including support, hardware, applications, existing data and current user familiarity), as well as other issues such as technical features, cost, future trends and ease of installation.

After rating several systems (others will be done at a later time), including MS Windows 95, NeXTStep (UNIX), and MS DOS, against these criteria, the clear winner is Windows 95. It is the most similar to what we currently use in Windows 3.1, and as such will provide for the easiest transition for both users and support personnel. Additionally it will allow continued use of current applications and data, and will run on the hardware currently in use within The Gasworks. As Windows 3.1 is still quite adequate for our immediate needs, there may be some merit to the idea of postponing the upgrade until future versions of Windows 95 become available, however with the high rate of technological turnover this situation is not likely to last long.